Minister: 20 more mosques will open ahead of Ramadan next year

Islamic Minister Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed told the Parliament on Tuesday that 20 more mosques were scheduled to open ahead of Ramadan next year.

Responding to a question by Manadhoo MP Husnee Mubarik, a lawmaker from the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC), Shaheem said that the Islamic Ministry was currently running over 80 projects, including mosques, Waqf buildings and Islamic centers.

“I have to say that this is the most Islamic projects being implemented simultaneously over a short period of time in the country’s history,” he said.

Shaheem said that the projects are facing challenges, especially from the economic downturn due to the conflict in the Middle East.

However, he expressed confidence in being able to overcome the challenges and finish the time.

Shaheem said that the ministry had opened around 20 mosques ahead of this year’s Ramadan as well, including some launched back during former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s administration.

Shaheem went on to highlight on the project to develop an Islamic center in HA. Dhidhoo, a project that he said the former administration launched by allocating a budget of just MVR 200,000.

He said that it has already cost MVR 66 million to run the project.

Shaheem added that the temporary mosques made of tin in Hulhumale’ will all be converted to permanent ones by the end of this year.

“In Sha Allah, 20 more mosques with open this year, ahead of Ramadan,” he said.